In development for more than a year, Silca’s Josh Poertner has just released his Super Secret Chain Lube. For years, Josh has recommended a hot-melt wax application to chains as the fastest, lowest drag option. But that’s impractical for most (all?) of us, so how to get those same marginal gains in an easy-to-apply, bottled lube?
Turns out, once again, he found the answer from the Indy Racing industry in their hometown of Indianapolis. Here’s how he explains it…
What’s in the Silca Super Secret Chain Lube?
The lube uses dissolvable wax particles mixed with nano-scale Tungsten DiSulfide (“Nano WS2” in the chart below), which he says has the lowest coefficient of drag of any other lubricious particle available. The result is a product that you can drip onto your chain like normal and delivers a fast, smooth, virtually self-cleaning ride.
But, you’ve gotta clean that chain first. Like, really well. They recommend thorough degreasing and rinsing, followed by a second cleaning with dish soap and water, followed by a good long drying out period to ensure all of the moisture is gone. They actually recommend blasting it with hot air, but an air compressor followed by a stint in the sun or warm oven should work, too. Then, drip it on like normal, rub it in, and let it sit for 30-40 minutes before riding.
It’s still a bit more involved than typical drip-and-ride lubes, and it’s a commitment as you don’t want to mix this with other types of lubes.
Josh told us that they were developing this in secret, with plans to use it on Victor Campenaerts’ next hour record attempt (he set one in 2019, at altitude, and wanted to do it again at sea level). But when that was canceled, they decided to let key dealers and partners in on the secret. Why? Because he says, so many partners helped develop it that he wanted to go ahead and start giving them credit by releasing it. The first batch sold out in an hour.
More is being made, though. Retail is $42 for an 8oz bottle or $44 for a larger bottle with 9oz of lube plus room to drop your chain into it if you want to completely saturate it. Smaller sizes will be available in the future.
